The Genius Composer Starts Again - Chapter 42
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“This is….”
Even after closing and opening my eyes, what lay before me didn’t change. I gripped tightly onto the hard object in my hand.
“…A wooden plaque?”
It was a thin, rectangular wooden plaque. Just as I wondered what this could possibly be, the system window appeared again.
[ SYSTEM – V1.0 ]
> Reward: Relationship Free Pass (A)
> A ‘connection plaque’ that binds relationships is granted.
> Please write the desired name.
I think I’d seen something like this at temples or tourist spots where you write wishes and hang them up. It looked exactly like that.
When I came to my senses, I was holding a pen in my hand.
‘No matter how many times I see it, it’s still amazing.’
I swallowed my admiration and looked at the wooden plaque—no, the connection plaque.
‘Seeing how Inspiration Acquisition appeared as a reward twice, it doesn’t seem like you can’t get it again after using a reward once. In that case, I need to understand how this Relationship Free Pass works so I can use it effectively when I need it later.’
With Cho Yun-je, honestly, it wouldn’t be a big problem even if our relationship went sour.
If I didn’t know how the Relationship Free Pass activated, I might end up in trouble if I used it on someone truly important without testing it first.
In that sense, he was the perfect test subject.
It would be nice if we became close, but if not, it couldn’t be helped. Just about that level.
‘Cho Yun-je. Let’s see if you can keep being distant with me even when the system is involved.’
[ C H O Y U N – J E ]
I wrote his name in large letters on the connection plaque.
Whooom-.
The connection plaque vibrated finely and floated up into the air. Before I could even let out a “wow” in amazement, a bright light enveloped the plaque.
Flash!
The light spread in all directions, forcing me to squeeze my eyes shut. I could feel the white flash even through my eyelids.
Only after everything around me had calmed down did I cautiously open my eyes.
“Oh?”
What I saw was a thin thread tied to my pinky finger. It stretched long, extending beyond the practice room.
‘It’s actually a thread?’
So this is how they represent a connection. I never would have thought it would be expressed as such a thin thread. Others probably can’t see it, right?
‘Should I follow it?’
I left the practice room to see where the thread led.
The thread made of light seemed to whisper, ‘Come this way.’
As if enchanted by something, I followed it and eventually reached the rooftop.
The thread definitely extended all the way to that rooftop.
‘…Is it okay for me to go in?’
There was a clear “Authorized Personnel Only” sign posted. It didn’t seem like a place students were allowed to go. Aren’t these doors usually locked?
I carefully tried turning the door handle.
Click. It turned smoothly.
‘It’s unlocked.’
Creeeeak.
The old rooftop door opened with a loud noise. At the same time, wind rushed in and swept through my hair.
I pushed my hair behind my ear with one hand and looked ahead.
There, someone was standing.
I could clearly see the thread of light connected to him.
I cautiously called his name.
“…Cho Yun-je?”
Cho Yun-je slowly turned his head to look at me. The fading sunset light reflected off his dampened cheeks.
He had been crying.
Cho Yun-je was.
When our eyes met, I didn’t know what to say. As I stood frozen with a surprised expression, Cho Yun-je looked away first.
His eyelids were red. Moreover, blood vessels had burst in the whites of his eyes. Anyone could see he had been crying in secret.
“Why does it have to be you.”
“What?”
“Why do you have to be the one to see me like this. It’s humiliating.”
“…Sorry?”
Was this something I should apologize for? But since I was the one who followed the thread of connection, I gave an awkward apology.
“What are you sorry for.”
“…Just. It seems like you didn’t want me to see you like this.”
“Forget it.”
Cho Yun-je let out a bitter laugh. As if the wind had stolen all his vitality, only a bitter expression lingered around his lips.
‘The Relationship Free Pass doesn’t seem to simply tell you where someone is. Does it alert you to moments when the other person’s heart is vulnerable?’
Or maybe it pinpoints the optimal timing and location for improving relationships.
While I was internally gauging this item’s usage and utility, Cho Yun-je asked again.
“Aren’t you going to ask? What happened.”
“You seemed like you didn’t want to talk about it.”
“That’s true. But it would be too heartless if you didn’t say anything after catching me in this state.”
Cho Yun-je still smiled. As if nothing had happened.
If not for the dried tear stains on his cheeks, no one would have noticed that Cho Yun-je had been crying just moments ago.
“I got a call. …From my mother.”
Oh Su-yeon. Korea’s legendary pianist.
And also Cho Yun-je’s trigger.
“She’s coming to this scholarship recital. My mother also graduated from Korea University Music Department. She’s been making donations consistently too.”
“….”
“She said on the phone. If I disappoint her again this time, she’ll force me to study abroad. She said she can’t bear to be around me because it’s embarrassing.”
Cho Yun-je giggled softly, his shoulders shaking slightly as if something was so funny. I was left speechless.
“I guess she absolutely can’t accept that I chose composition over piano. I’d rather quit everything and go live overseas. Where I’ll never catch her eye again.”
“…That’s too harsh.”
“Is it?”
The wind swept between us once more. Cho Yun-je was staring blankly at the sky beyond the rooftop.
It had gradually changed to a dusky night sky.
“Not really. If I had been a genius, my mother would have acknowledged me too, but it’s because my skills are lacking.”
Cho Yun-je seemed to genuinely believe that.
“Maybe it would be better to stop holding onto something I have no talent for and quit quickly like my mother says.”
“Do you really think that?”
I asked back with conviction.
“Really?”
No way.
Cho Yun-je was certainly someone who suffered from perfectionism and made obvious, monotonous music.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t love music.
“…Maybe I do.”
His tone lacked confidence. I could see his spirit had been broken.
“No. Do you know what expression you make every time the professor calls you up to present your compositions?”
Cho Yun-je usually had a smiling face. But only then was it different.
“You look like you’re dying of happiness.”
I could tell. Because I’m the same way.
“But really, could you live after giving up music? You?”
“…You can enjoy music as a hobby.”
“Can you be satisfied with that?”
“I have to be. Somehow.”
Cho Yun-je was being stubborn. At least that’s how I felt.
“Even when you’re this thirsty right now?”
“What?”
“You want to do better. That’s why you’re hiding here crying in secret and whipping yourself, isn’t it?”
“….”
“But do you really think you can be satisfied with it as just a hobby?”
Cho Yun-je let out a deep sigh. He pressed his forehead with one hand as he spoke.
“Geniuses like you wouldn’t understand. What kind of feelings I have when I say these things. You could never even dream of knowing.”
“The one who doesn’t know anything is you, Cho Yun-je.”
I could say this with certainty.
“You’re the arrogant one for thinking you can live without music.”
Not me.
At this, Cho Yun-je seemed to get emotional and frowned deeply.
“Then what are you telling me to do? Fine. My songs? Even I’m not satisfied with them. But what can I do when that’s my best! You might be a genius who can just whip up good songs easily, but I’m not!”
“….”
“I’m tired of constantly despairing at my own level!”
Cho Yun-je caught his breath and closed his mouth. He seemed aware that he had raised his voice too much.
I calmly brought up the topic again.
“There are a few things you’re mistaken about. First, even I can’t just ‘whip up’ good songs easily. And….”
I could feel the wind dying down.
“I think you’re a genius too.”
“Ha. Don’t give me half-hearted consolation.”
“I’m serious.”
“You like my songs?”
“Ah, well, not really.”
“See!”
Cho Yun-je shouted angrily.
“Of course your songs are boring, predictable, simply structured, sound like something I’ve heard somewhere before, and strangely don’t stick in my ears.”
“You just wanted to insult me, didn’t you?”
“But.”
This is where the main point begins.
“Just because of that doesn’t mean you don’t have talent.”
Cho Yun-je glared at me as if asking what the hell I was talking about. I chuckled and extended my hand.
“Want to test it? At this scholarship recital.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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